Best Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Orlando

1. The Boheme— Downtown Orlando

Price range: $$$$
Menu type: Jazz brunch or four-course dinner
Why families love it: Upscale vibe for both Christmas brunch and dinner, accompanied by live jazz music.

Go beyond Joe's Crab Shack's crab and try roasted turkey on Christmas Day.

2. Joe’s Crab Shack—Orlando

Price range: $$
Menu type: Seafood...but different for the holidays
Why families love it: Enjoy a special menu of roasted turkey dinner with traditional Christmas sides. 

3. Latitude and Longitude—Lake Buena Vista

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Brunch buffet
Why families love it: From 11am-2pm, enjoy a huge brunch buffet for Christmas

Dig into a hearty Italian Christmas feast at Mia's Italian Kitchen.

4. Mia's Italian Kitchen—Orlando

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Italian three-course dinner (can be made family-style)
Why families love it: This Italian eatery will be offering a special Christmas menu, including a starter, entrée (turkey breast or pork loin) and dessert.

5. Rosen Plaza—Orlando

Price range: $$$$
Menu type: Buffet
Why families love it: On Christmas Day, treat the family to a gourmet buffet featuring a variety of holiday favorites. Kids 3 and under eat free. Buffet hours are 11:30am to 4:30pm.

6. Rosen Shingle Creek—Orlando

Price range: $$$-$$$$
Menu type: Variety of options for brunch (buffet) and dinner (family-style)
Why families love it: Choose from Christmas brunch and/or dinner at multiple on-site restaurants.

7. Tapa Toro—Orlando

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Spanish Christmas day brunch or dinner
Why families love it: Live Flamenco dancers!

8. Cafe Tu Tu Tango - Orlando

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Bottomless brunch
Why families love it: Holiday carving station with bottomless sides.

Restaurants Serving Christmas Meals at Orlando Theme Parks and Resorts

9. Hollywood & Vine - Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Breakfast and lunch/dinner buffets
Why families love it: Join Minnie and friends for a dazzling holiday dinner party filled with holiday cheer and the joy of the season.

10. The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast - Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Character breakfast 
Why families love it: Start Christmas morning with the Grinch and his "friends". Reservations highly recommended.

11. Candlelight Processional Dining - Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center

Price range: $$$-$$$$
Menu type: A la carte or buffet (depending on eatery)
Why families love it: Epcot's Candlelight Processional retells the Christmas story with Disney pizazz. Families can reserve an accompanying dining package, at Spice Road Table or other participating Epcot eateries.

RELATED: The Best Disney Character Breakfasts for Kids: The Ultimate Guide to Disney World Character Dining

12. Islands Dining Room - Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios Orlando

Price range: $$$$
Menu type: Buffet
Why families love it: From 11am-4pm, this tropical themed restaurant offers a sprawling Christmas buffet with main dishes, sides, salads, as well as individual stations for omelets, sushi, dessert, and more.

13. T-Rex Cafe - Disney Springs

Price range: $$
Menu type: Standard
Why families love it: This interactive prehistoric dining experience is open on Christmas f. Kids love the life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and simulated meteor showers...as well as December's special Santa Claws Shake!

14. Paddlefish - Disney Springs

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Standard
Why families love it: The iconic Paddlefish, located on a reimagined steamboat with scenic views of Lake Buena Vista, is offering tasty seafood offerings.

15. Sanaa - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Price range: $$$
Menu type: "Celebrate the Season" dinner
Why families love it: In addition to select items from the dinner menu, Sanaa offers a special "celebrate the season" dinner from 11:30am-9:30pm

16. Sharks Underwater Grill - SeaWorld Orlando

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Holiday menu
Why families love it: Dive into the festive spirit at Sharks Underwater Grill during SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration.

17. Whispering Canyon Cafe - Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Prix fixe holiday meal
Why families love it: Whispering Canyon Cafe offers a special holiday menu from noon to 10pm on Christmas Day. 

What to Know Before Dining Out on Christmas Day in Orlando

Orlando is a busy place during the holiday season.

Be prepared for long waits and booked reservations

Reservations often require weeks (or even months) in advance

If bookings are already full, consider another spot or waiting in person. 

Holiday pricing and limited menus are common

Make sure to visit restaurant social media pages and/or websites to see if menus are posted in advance.

Many spots serve special brunch or early dinner hours

Tips for parents

Bring small activities for little ones, check kids’ menu availability, and confirm parking options.

Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas Meal Out with Kids

The most obvious and helpful tip we can share is make a reservation if available! By avoiding long waits and last-minute plans, your Christmas meal will go much smoother. And pay attention to holiday menus -- what could be your child's favorite restaurant during the rest of the year may not be during Christmas if he or she hates the choices.

FAQ – Dining Out on Christmas Day with Kids in Orlando

What restaurants are open on Christmas Day in Orlando?
As mentioned above, there are some great restaurants open in Orlando on Christmas day, including many at the Orlando theme park restaurants and upscale dining establishments.

Do any Christmas Day restaurants offer kids’ menus?
Many of the restaurants offer kid rates, especially for those with Christmas buffets.

Q:Are restaurants open for Christmas brunch or dinner?
Some restaurants are open for Christmas brunch and dinner. The Boheme, Rosen Shingle Creek, and Tapa Toro offer both.

Q: Do I need to make reservations for Christmas Day dining?
Yes, you should really make reservations to make your Christmas Day run smoothly and keep the kids' hunger at bay.

Q:What’s the average price for Christmas dinner at restaurants in Orlando?
Plan to spend a good chunk of change for Christmas brunch and dinner, especially those offering large-scale buffets.

Q:Which restaurants have the most festive Christmas atmosphere for families?
You can't go wrong dining at the restaurants inside the Orlando theme parks, which feature holiday events besides the meals! 

Photos courtesy of the restaurants.

Additional reporting by Tom Stefanchik.